Archive for the ‘Unsigned’ Category

This debut single from the spiky Coleraine trio is a little bit back to front. Lead track ‘Seconds Out’ is a breathless two-and-a-half minute romp, never settling on an idea for very long and slightly infuriating because of it. Dave Hanna’s caterwauling vocals bear comparison to Niall Kennedy of contemporaries – and clear influences – Panama Kings, but the yelping energy is all a bit much to handle. Surprisingly enough, Uber Glitterati’s electro-pop remix fares better, slowing things down (with the added benefit of pitching down Hanna’s voice) and crafting a slick, coherent pop song where once there was wide-eyed chaos. Better still, though, is the third track, which can count itself unlucky to be tacked on at the end. ‘Romantic Issues’ is a stylish, confident tune that owes much to the Arctic Monkeys, turning on a dime from the lithe, cocksure verse to a turbocharged chorus. Great stuff; it’s just a shame it wasn’t given more prominence.

It’s not easy to write about a band when there is so little new or individual about them, but for once that isn’t a major failing. Furlo’s latest EP will remind you of a million other bands – mostly English, successful and none-too-leftfield. However, such is the quality of the songwriting, playing and, most noticeably, the punchy, clear production, it doesn’t matter too much. Jonny Everett has a hint of wide-eyed desperation (and an ersatz English accent) that’s redolent of (gulp) The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard, but whereas that band’s songwriting is so often trite and clichéd, Furlo manage – for the most part – to keep things powerful, fresh and occasionally affecting. It’s no surprise that they’ve graced the main stage at Glasgowbury. In a year or two, it could easily be V or Glastonbury.

Fixtures on the Belfast metal circuit, Gacys Threads offer a decent indicator as to their live power on this debut EP. The title is fine shorthand for what to expect, as this is a band not given to delicacy, nor to addressing anything but the most primal human emotions – guilt, sorrow, hate, anger. That said, the lyrics booklet – though a help in deciphering the Cookie Monster vocals – doesn’t do much to pin down exactly what these songs are about, as the band have a tendency to communicate in slogans. But maybe the lyrical content isn’t the point. Fans of Converge, Norma Jean and even Enter Shikari will feel at home thanks to the throat-shredding vocals and serrated riffage, while the title track even starts off like early Metallica before descending into all-out mayhem. Meanwhile, closer ‘Nothing Sacred’ is probably the pick, boasting the only clean vocals on the release and an impressive understanding of elegiac restraint as it builds tension before the inevitable meltdown. A cautious endorsement, then, for fans of metalcore and related genres.

Welcome

Hi, I'm Chris Jones.

I live in Belfast and I write about music, mainly for AU Magazine and iheartau.com, where I'm also the mag's editor. I occasionally write for other people as well, and I'm available for freelance work.

I'll be using this mainly as an archive of my work, as well as the odd other musing or whatever.

To get in touch, contact me at cmjones83 [at] gmail [dot] com. My Twitter page is here, and my last.fm is here.